English translation

Chinito literally means "little Chinese man," taking its root from the Spanish chino (meaning Chinese) and the suffix -ito changing it to a diminutive form. Nowadays, it can refer to someone of mixed Chinese and other descent. Similar to the Spanish use of diminutives, chinito can be used as a term of endearment, as it's used in this song.

There are several references to the eyes, particularly to the unique qualities of the chinito's eyes, but of course taken in an endearing manner. The song begins with Will you notice / Someone like me / Just in the corner / Of your eyes. While this initially appears to be a simple metaphor using the eyes, later on the chorus starts with And if you are laughing / Do you still see me?, a subtle reference to how the chinito's eyes are smaller than usual, since laughing causes the eyes to narrow. Further on, the second stanza begins with If you are not sleepy / If you are not dazzled / Can I know / If I can still see hope, another reference to how sleepiness and being dazzled (with light) cause the eyes narrow, and the persona asks if she can still "see hope" through them. Lastly, the second stanza ends with Why do you have such soft curves / In the windows of your world? now a less subtle reference to the qualities (soft curves) of the chinito's eyes (the windows of your world). I have rendered pungay in the original text as soft curves. Pungay is generally used in the context of the eyes, referring eyes that are languid to due fatigue or sleepiness, but can also be used to refer simply to the curves and form of the eyes, usually in an endearing or admiring way.